Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital guides
Plain-English guides to the UK dates, rules and penalties for Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. Each one points to the official GOV.UK page, which is always the final word. These are general guides, not tax advice.
Not sure where to start? If you are checking whether you need to file at all, read Do I need to file a Self Assessment return?. If you have a deadline coming up, the 31 January 2027 Self Assessment guide and the Making Tax Digital quarterly update guide for 7 November 2026 cover the dates and what to do. Landlords have their own Making Tax Digital guide, and the penalties and bridging software guides explain what happens if you are late and how the software side works. Always check the linked GOV.UK page for your own situation.
Self Assessment deadline: 31 January 2027
The 2025 to 2026 return and first payment are due 31 January 2027. Paper deadline, payments on account, penalties and a simple plan.
Do I need to file?Do I need to file a Self Assessment return?
The common reasons you need to file, what to check on GOV.UK, and what to do next, in plain English.
LandlordsMaking Tax Digital for landlords
Does it apply to your rental income? Thresholds, jointly owned property, records to keep and quarterly update dates.
Due 7 NovemberYour Making Tax Digital quarterly update: 7 November 2026
What period it covers, what to send, what you need, and what happens if you are late.
SoftwareWhat is bridging software for Making Tax Digital?
How it sends your spreadsheet totals to HMRC, what to look for, and where HMRC keeps its list.
PenaltiesMaking Tax Digital penalties and late payments
How the points system works, what a late update costs and the late payment rates. Checked against GOV.UK.
Related: all Altto guides.